KHARTOUM, 22 September 2021, (TON): Sudanese authorities have foiled an attempted coup, the army said, warding off a challenge to a civilian-military council that has run the country since Omar al-Bashir was overthrown in 2019.

A civilian member of the ruling council told Reuters the situation was under control after the attempted coup overnight had been contained. Interrogation of suspects was due to begin, the council member, spokesman Mohamed Al Faki Suleiman said.

The ruling body known as the Sovereign Council has run Sudan under a fragile power-sharing deal between the military and civilians following Bashir's overthrow.

It plans to hold free elections in 2024.

The media adviser to Sovereign Council head, General Abdelfattah al-Burhan, told state news agency "the military has defeated the coup attempt and the situation is completely under control."

A government source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the coup attempt had involved an effort to take control of state radio in Omdurman, across the River Nile from the capital Khartoum.